Karin Girl

Popularity: · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-in //ˈkærɪn//

Origin: Scandinavian; Hebrew

Meaning: Scandinavian: pure; Hebrew: a form of Katherine

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Karin has its roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Greek name "Aikaterine," which is believed to mean "pure." This name was later adopted into Latin as "Caterina" and subsequently into various languages, including Scandinavian and Germanic forms. The transition into English occurred through the influence of these languages, particularly during the medieval period when names were often adapted and modified as they crossed linguistic boundaries.

Karin is often considered a diminutive of the name Katherine, which has a long history in Christian tradition, associated with saints and martyrs, particularly Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who was venerated in the early Christian church and is often depicted in art and literature as a symbol of wisdom and purity. Throughout history, the name Karin has been borne by various notable figures, contributing to its cultural significance.

In the 20th century, it gained prominence in Scandinavian countries, where it became a popular choice for girls. The name's association with purity and virtue, stemming from its etymological roots, has allowed it to resonate across different cultures and eras.

Additionally, the name has appeared in various literary and artistic works, reinforcing its presence in cultural narratives. Karin's enduring appeal can also be attributed to its simplicity and elegance, making it a favored choice in many societies.

The name has been embraced in various forms, including the diminutive "Kari," which is often used affectionately in Scandinavian cultures. Overall, Karin embodies a rich historical and cultural tapestry, reflecting both its linguistic origins and the enduring values associated with its meaning.

Famous people named Karin

In this section, you will find notable people named Karin. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Karin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Karin who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Karin Dreijer is a musician best known for being part of the electronic music duo The Knife and for her solo project Fever Ray.

Karin Slaughter is an author best known for her crime novels including Pretty Girls, Cop Town, and the Grant County series.

Karin von Schwartzenberg is a model and actress best known for her work in fashion and television.

Karin Ohlsson is a Swedish actress best known for her roles in various television series and films in Sweden.

Fictional characters named Karin

The following list of fictional characters named Karin is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Karin Uzumaki is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Naruto. She is a member of the Uzumaki clan and plays a significant role in the story as a supporting character with unique abilities.

Karin is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Bleach. She is a member of the Kurosaki family and serves as a key supporting character with a strong personality and a connection to the main protagonist.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Karin. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Karin was first seen in the United States in 1907.

Karin has ranked as high as #503 nationally, which occurred in 1970, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Karin has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Karin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Karin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Karin.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 6 6 0
2024 21 8 13
2023 21 10 11
2022 30 15 15
2021 19 6 13
2020 20 7 13
2019 24 7 17
2018 25 0 25
2017 30 0 30
2016 26 0 26
2015 29 0 29
2014 26 0 26
2013 37 0 37
2012 31 0 31
2011 35 6 29
2010 39 0 39
2009 43 0 43
2008 46 0 46
2007 50 9 41
2006 63 9 54
2005 51 5 46
2004 55 6 49
2003 59 5 54
2002 68 9 59
2001 71 0 71
2000 73 0 73
1999 89 6 83
1998 87 6 81
1997 90 0 90
1996 86 0 86
1995 93 6 87
1994 121 0 121
1993 146 5 141
1992 112 0 112
1991 148 0 148
1990 162 5 157
1989 181 0 181
1988 186 7 179
1987 195 0 195
1986 216 5 211
1985 196 0 196
1984 272 0 272
1983 245 5 240
1982 296 0 296
1981 312 0 312
1980 337 0 337
1979 337 6 331
1978 425 5 420
1977 482 8 474
1976 462 0 462
1975 503 0 503
1974 578 5 573
1973 654 0 654
1972 669 5 664
1971 881 5 876
1970 1,051 0 1,051
1969 1,014 5 1,009
1968 978 7 971
1967 949 0 949
1966 855 0 855
1965 918 0 918
1964 886 0 886
1963 898 0 898
1962 826 0 826
1961 734 0 734
1960 738 0 738
1959 721 0 721
1958 669 0 669
1957 690 0 690
1956 725 0 725
1955 606 0 606
1954 571 0 571
1953 482 0 482
1952 477 0 477
1951 468 0 468
1950 360 0 360
1949 347 0 347
1948 461 0 461
1947 384 0 384
1946 275 0 275
1945 175 0 175
1944 205 0 205
1943 236 0 236
1942 415 0 415
1941 185 0 185
1940 129 0 129
1939 109 0 109
1938 101 0 101
1937 92 0 92
1936 55 0 55
1935 41 0 41
1934 40 0 40
1933 44 0 44
1932 32 0 32
1931 22 0 22
1930 21 0 21
1929 15 0 15
1928 16 0 16
1927 10 0 10
1926 10 0 10
1925 10 0 10
1924 8 0 8
1923 5 0 5
1922 11 0 11
1921 10 0 10
1920 9 0 9
1919 11 0 11
1918 14 0 14
1917 6 0 6
1916 11 0 11
1915 13 0 13
1914 11 0 11
1913 5 0 5
1912 6 0 6
1907 6 0 6

Top States for Karin (2016)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%